July 4 Celebrations

Michigan's playground, the northern Lower Peninsula, is more than just a winter playground. It is also a place to play in the warm summer sun. Things get off to a slow start in June, must be because they never know if it will be warm!

July gets off to a good start with the many Independence Day celebrations in the area. It is not unusual to see the celebrations on weekends both before and after July 4th. There will be something going on somewhere every weekend throughout July.

I have listed many of the events in Northern Lower Michigan for the month of July.

Boyne City

Boyne City goes all out for Independence Day with 2 days packed full of fun things to do.

July 3rd - Arts & Crafts Festival will be held in Veteran's Park. Boyne City invites you to "Stroll the Streets" 6-9 pm. The main streets are of the city are closed for vehicular traffic and there is a nice crowd "strolling" and listening to local sidewalk entertainment. Street clowns make balloon animals for the kiddies, magicians appear in the street, local vendors offer great bargains.

July 4th - Veteran's parade at 10:30am. 20th annual Duck Race @ Old City Park. Put your number on a duck and race down the river with hundreds of rubber duckies. "Stroll the Streets" 6-9 pm. There will be live entertainment, games and refreshments all day at the Veterans Park from 11:15am-7pm. Fireworks begin at 10:30pm. Admission is free.

Bay Harbor

July 3rd - Fireworks at dusk over the bay. Fireworks will be held on July 3^rd t dusk. Their parade will be held on July 4^th. They will have floats, horses, GEM cars, and throwing out a lot of candy for the kiddies. Admission is free.

Beaver Island

The celebration starts at noon on July 4^th with live music. The parade begins at 2. Gather with your friend or family downtown and enjoy the carnival while you wait for the fireworks to begin at dusk. This is a special treat as the fireworks are out over the harbor. Admission is free.

Bellaire

The fireworks will be held at Shanty Creek and will begin at dusk on July 3^rd. Come early and enjoy the games and live entertainment and make sure you locate the BBQ if you get hungry. Some of the games do charge a nominal fee to participate. Entertainment hours are 3-10pm. Shanty Creek will be offering chair lift rides for a nominal fee as well.

Charlevoix

Does not sponsor an Independence Day celebration.

Central Lake

The July 4^th celebration begins on July 4 with a Pancake breakfast. The day will be filled with fun at the Strawberry Shortcake festival and carnival. A flea market will be held inn the park and fireworks will begin at dusk in the football field. Admission is free.

Gaylord

Gaylord will highlight a boat parade on July 4 and close the celebration at dusk with fireworks at the Otsego County Park. Admission is free.

Harbor Springs

Join the crowd at Zion Park on July 4. The fun will highlight a live band, Doggie Look-Alike Contest, concessions and a 5k Run. The parade will begin at l pm and fireworks at 10pm.

Indian River

They celebrate Independence Day with fireworks on July 3^rd at dusk. Gather at DeVoe Public Beach for the display. They will also sponsor the Independence Day parade at 11 am on July 4^th.

Author's side note: some of the best fireworks I have ever seen were at Mackinaw City. If you find yourself a good spot you can see the fireworks from Mackinac Island, which are then followed by the Mackinaw City display. Both are well over the water. Last year they were fired from a barge off shore. It was really spectacular. Double your pleasure!

Mackinac Island

Display to begin July 4^th at 9:45 pm and will be held at Windermere Point.

Mackinaw City

Mackinaw City celebrates all day with games and music, ending the evening with Northern Michigan's largest fireworks display. There is usually a pretty large crowd, but always plenty of parking and space. Gather for the display at Mackinaw Crossings, Heritage Park or spread a blanket on Marina Lawn.

Onaway

Celebrates from July 1- July 4. Right in downtown Onaway you will find a carnival for the kiddies and young at heart, a car show, a horse show, sock hop and lots of entertainment.

Fireworks display will begin at dusk on July 4^th.